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Arsenal team news: Double injury blow confirmed, 5 players could miss Everton clash

By on April 21, 2021

pierre-emerick aubameyang arsenal 2020

Alexandre Lacazette and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang have been ruled out of Arsenal’s clash with Everton on Friday night.

Aubameyang has already missed our last few games after contracting malaria while away with the Gabon squad during last months international break. The Gunners captain will now sit out the visit of Everton to the Emirates on Friday night but he’s hoping to be back in light training by the end of the week.

If he manages to get some full sessions under his belt over the coming days, Auba could then put himself in contention for Arsenal’s huge Europa League semi-final first leg with Villarreal next Thursday night.

Aubameyang’s availability could be crucial as it looks as though Lacazette is also facing a race against time to be fit to face Villarreal. The Frenchman limped off during the 1-1 draw with Fulham on Sunday after suffering a hamstring injury.

Lacazette has now been ruled out of Friday’s game with Everton so it remains to be seen whether he’ll recover in time to play any part in the Europa League semi-final next week.

Odegaard also a doubt

Martin Odegaard is also a doubt to face Everton on Friday. The midfielder is back in light training having recovered from an ankle injury but he’ll need to pass a late fitness test in order to be available against the Toffees.

Elsewhere, Kieran Tierney could be back in training within the next 2-3 weeks as he makes good progress in his recovery from a knee injury while David Luiz should resume light training next week. Both will obviously miss the Everton game.

The team news update on Arsenal.com read today:

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Auba continues to recover after contracting malaria on international duty. Auba will be unavailable for Friday’s match against Everton, but is hoping to resume light training by the end of this week.

Alex Lacazette
Left hamstring. Alex has sustained a strain to his left hamstring and will be unavailable for Friday’s match against Everton. He will continue to work with the medical team and will be assessed ahead of next week’s matches.

David Luiz
Right knee. David is making very good progress and is hoping to integrate back into light training with the squad next week.

Martin Odegaard
Right ankle. Martin is now back in light training and will be assessed ahead of the Everton match regarding his availability.

Kieran Tierney
Left knee. Kieran sustained ligament damage to his left knee during the match against Liverpool on April 3. Kieran continues to make positive progress and is hoping to be back in training within two to three weeks.

It’s a huge blow to be without Laca and Auba on Friday. Mikel Arteta may opt to play one of the attacking midfielders in a ‘false 9’ role or he could hand Eddie Nketiah a start after he scored against Fulham at the weekend.